A dangerous parolee on the lam is now in custody, thanks to a brave farm enthusiast.
Jason Michael Rogers, 28, has been unlawfully at large for more than three weeks from his court-ordered residence at an Activators Society reintegration home.
Police issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest shortly after his June 12 disappearance.
He came back into view on Sunday at about 8 p.m. at the Prince George Aquatic Centre.
When the federal fugitive allegedly tried to grab a vehicle from the agriculture area of Exhibition Park to flee approaching Mounties, the vehicle owner got in the way.
"Investigators believe that Rogers was attempting to steal a vehicle from the parking lot...when he was approached by the vehicle's owner," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "The suspect produced a knife, believed to have been stolen from the vehicle, and fled on foot."
Rogers was being pursued by an off-duty cop who happened to hear the commotion over the vehicle. That police officer called for backup and went after the suspect who headed into the general vicinity of CN Centre, gymnastics club, the Kin Centres and the Agriplex on the north end of Exhibition Park.
He turned into the agricultural area and allegedly attempted to commandeer a couple of vehicles.
The people who like to hang out with horses and cattle soon proved they didn't intend to get buffaloed by this stranger.
"He attempted to enter an occupied vehicle, but was unsuccessful," said Douglass. "The suspect then ran towards an unoccupied pickup truck and gained entry through an unlocked door. The female owner of this truck came towards the truck and entered the cab with the suspect. The suspect once again fled on foot, but was cornered by the female truck owner and the off-duty officer.
"Once other people began to arrive, the suspect began to comply to the demands of the off-duty officer," Douglass said. "The officer, with help from other witnesses, arrested the man despite his constant struggle. On-duty police officers arrived moments later and took the suspect into custody."
Douglass stressed police never recommend that the public confront people exhibiting suspicious behaviour. He nonetheless expressed the detachment's gratitude to those who helped bring an alleged offender to arrest.
Rogers appeared in court on Monday to face a set of charges pertaining to weapons, robbery and mischief.
